Carrie Prejean on Health Care Town Halls

This is a rush transcript from "Hannity," August 7, 2009. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

SEAN HANNITY, HOST: Welcome back. Are you having fun in San Diego?

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We're coming to you live from San Diego, the site of tonight's freedom concert, one of eight we're doing around the country, by the way, where free speech is alive and well here tonight.

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So my next guest is someone who is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. And she knows — and she knows what it's like to have people try and silence her. We're joined now by former Miss California and Miss USA first runner up Carrie Prejean. Carrie, how are you?

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Good to see you.

It's very interesting in one sense, you were almost like the first casualty in this battle of somebody speaks out in America today, oh, they want to jump all over you. Now that you have some perspective, what do you think about it?

CARRIE PREJEAN, FORMER MISS CALIFORNIA: First, I just want to let America know that I am still standing, and I'm still standing strong, and I am not backing down. And I think that — I hope to have given people that hope and that perseverance to get through whatever you're getting through.

Don't let people silence you. Don't let people try and tear you down. Don't let people try and take away your rights. I have the freedom of speech, and I can say whatever I want to say. I'm entitled to my own opinion.

And so that's the hope that I want to give everybody here today.

HANNITY: But you know what's amazing, wasn't she respectful?

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Right? By the way, just as a side, how many people agreed with her answer?

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And by the way, President Obama agreed with you.

PREJEAN: Thank you. And the vice president.

HANNITY: And the vice president.

PREJEAN: And the secretary of state.

HANNITY: In that sense it made it that much more remarkable, didn't it?

PREJEAN: Well, it's just amazing how just by answering a question and giving an honest answer, this is blown out of proportion. And it's like we need to think back to — my grandfather fought for my rights, and I think I'm entitled to my own opinion, and I should not be called any name, I don't care what it is, for standing up for what I believe in.

HANNITY: One of the things as I gotten to know you and interview you a number of times, you know what? This does not define you. This was not your issue. You were asked a question by a crazy judge on this show.

PREJEAN: Right.

HANNITY: And was it hard when they finally said, oh, all of a sudden, after you thought you were going to keep the crown and they came and took it away, they didn't even give you any advance notice. Was it hard?

PREJEAN: It was hard. It was hard because I worked so hard for it. I earned it. I beat out 80 something other girls. And it was challenging.

But God has just shown me that he has something so much bigger than just a little crown and a sash. So I'm just really excited to see where he leads me.

HANNITY: Maybe this is a good lesson, because the people that — the Democrats are calling angry mobs like all these angry mobs.

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And all around here. But maybe — maybe this will be an inspiration, because now there's an effort to intimidate people at these town hall meetings and silence them. And maybe people can learn from your lesson.

PREJEAN: We will not be silenced.

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HANNITY: What was the hardest part, though? Because, you know what? Even though you stand up, and I've been called every name in the book over my career, which started in 1986 right here in this state of California, what was the hardest time for you, though?

PREJEAN: I think the mixed smokes, the ups and downs and just when you think everything is sort of settled, something else happens and there's more rumors brought up about you or your family, my family was attacked. And it's just — it's real unfortunate that tolerance isn't a two-way street.

HANNITY: What's next for Carrie Prejean?

PREJEAN: A book is coming out in November. I'm very excited.

HANNITY: You are going to launch it right here, right?

PREJEAN: I'm launching it with you, absolutely.

HANNITY: That's it, good job. I like that.

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And so what's after that?

PREJEAN: I'm just really — I'm going to continue public speaking. I'm traveling the country right now and doing motivational speaking and just challenging, especially young people. These little girls are here today, and I want to be their role model and let them know that it's OK to be conservative and to stand up for traditional values.

HANNITY: I still say she's Miss California.

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Thank you, Carrie. It's nice to see you. Thank you.

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